Low-cost spay and neuter clinic is on a mission for dogs, cats

MEDINA — What began as a volunteer effort to find homes for stray, unwanted and abandoned cats and kittens is expanding with Tuesday’s opening of the Quick Fix Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic.

“We are beyond excited to open next week,” said Wendy Mirrotto, founder of Kitten Krazy Inc., a nonprofit organization. “It’s been a long time coming, and I can’t believe the big opening is right at our doorstep now.”

A 3-week-old kitten is one of the felines housed and cared for by Kitten Krazy Inc. in Medina. (GAZETTE PHOTO BY DANI ORR)

The first of its kind in Medina County, Quick Fix, 930 Lafayette Road, Unit A, is a high-volume, high-quality, low-cost spay/neuter clinic for cats and dogs, according to Kitten Krazy’s website. It will follow the National Spay/Neuter Response Team model offered through the Humane Alliance.

Mirrotto founded Kitten Krazy in May 2004 in Brunswick Hills Township. It is operated by an all-volunteer staff. The organization lists its mission as helping to ease the pet overpopulation by vetting, housing and finding homes for stray, unwanted and abandoned kittens.

“At Kitten Krazy, we were forced to turn away roughly 200 kittens a week because we just couldn’t handle the volume. For seven months out of the year, that’s what we were dealing with,” Mirrotto said. “We came to see that the real problem was within the neutering and that was the bigger problem of our efforts. That’s when the idea of Quick Fix arose. We had to change our focus on vetting and placing and turn it to the control of reproduction.”

From May through December 2004, Kitten Krazy placed 53 cats and kittens. In 2005, there were 189 adoptions.

“Throughout the year, nearly 30 new volunteers joined our efforts offering their talents, support, finances, knowledge and love for the kitties,” Mirrotto said. “Both 2006 and 2007 really allowed our organization to grow, adapt and serve not only Medina, but our surrounding communities of Cuyahoga, Stark, Summit, Lorain, Ashland and Wayne. We placed 246 cats and kittens during 2006, and 262 in 2007.”

Kitten Krazy also is moving to the Quick Fix facility. The adoption area will be named the Remington Adoption Center to honor Tim and Mindy Remington and Remington Products who have contributed more than $30,000 toward the whole project, according to Kitten Krazy’s website.

“This project has taken a village.” Mirrotto said. “No donation was too small … even the smallest was a building brick of the completed house and I cannot be more thankful for all the support.”

Kitten Krazy also received grants from PetSmart Charities, PETCO Foundation and The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, according to its website.

The Quick Fix clinic will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. It will be closed Sunday and Monday.

Surgery will be by appointment only. Cat spays will be $50; cat neuters, $35; dog spays, $85; and dog neuters, $75. Stays for cats only are available for an additional $10 per night.

All female-altered animals will receive a tattoo on their belly.

Feral cat alterations are $25 and include a rabies vaccination. No appointment is necessary and pets can be dropped off during business hours Tuesday to Friday. Feral cats will be kept overnight for up to two nights at no additional expense and will receive an ear tip. Humane traps are available for rental as well.